KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Rafiah Salim is tired of the controversy surrounding the appointment of her successor as vice-chancellor of Universiti Malaya (UM).

Speaking at her new office set aside for former V-Cs on campus, she grappled with what she felt was a sad way to end her career. Rafiah said she was resigned to the fact that her tenure as UM's V-C was over and insisted that she had moved on.

"It is their (Higher Education Ministry's) right (to choose the next V-C).

"I am disappointed because I wanted to finish the work that I had set out to do, but I have accepted it.

"I don't care who they replace me with. I am not interested in holding on to the post or to be reinstated. I am sure (Professor Dr) Ghauth (Jasmon) has his own plans."
Jasmon took over as V-C on Nov 8 on a three-year contract.

Her mood shifted to anger and incredulity when asked about her view on Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Idris Haron's statement that performance was the yardstick to select a V-C.

"How dare he cast aspersions on my credibility and track record. I've had a stellar performance over my 34-year career, including what I have done during my 21/2 years (at UM).

"If they are going to take the THES (Times Higher Education Supplement) as a reference, then they should sack the V-Cs of other universities which have been sliding in the the ranking."

She maintained her demand that Idris retract his statement, made in Parliament on Nov 12, failing which she would file a civil suit against him.

"I want them to clear my name, that is all," said the former United Nations assistant secretary-general for human resources.

She said female V-Cs were victims of gender discrimination, going by the shorter tenures offered to them compared with their male colleagues.

She was given a two-year tenure with a half-year extension to her contract.

Similarly, her female colleagues -- Universiti Kebang-saan Malaysia vice-chancellor Datuk Professor Dr Sharifah Hapsah and Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris vice-chancellor Datuk Professor Dr Aminah Ayob -- were given two-year contracts.

"Other V-Cs who were male were given three-year contracts. Now tell me if that is not gender discrimination."

Her anger, however, subsided when asked about what she intended to do next, and she took a more reflective tone as she revealed her plans.

"I'm going on holiday to see my four grandsons in Bahrain on Nov 20 for 10 days.

"Now that I am no longer V-C, I also have more time to focus on my two books."

She said one book would be on her experiences as the country's first female vice-chancellor and the other would be a third edition evidence book for legal reference.

Asked if she would take up offers in other organisations, she said she had been approached by three private organisations but did not intend to work full-time again.

"It is sad that in the autumn of my life something like this happened but, at the same time, this is the first break from work that I have had in 34 years.

"One good thing is I have now joined my husband in retirement. Now we can pack up and go on holiday any time we want.

"Every cloud has a silver lining," she said with a smile.